In Europe, the markets were also deeply in the red. The DJ Stoxx index fell 8.5 percent and London's FTSE fell 8 percent. In Moscow, the government closed the markets and agreed to put up $36 billion in a bailout for its banks.

We'll be watching the market open today, but so far futures are far into the red. With the huge loss of confidence in the U.S. financial system, some are now questioning American capitalism altogether. Read about it in today's Post story by Anthony Faiola.

There is a sliver of bright news this morning: General Electric said this morning that its net income fell 22 percent, which is normally not something investors would cheer. But the performance was within the company's target, and CEO Jeffrey Immelt said the company was on track to earn $9 billion this year.

Ugly days are good days to shop for art and the market can take care of business. If you aren't in a shopping state of mind, get the oils out and create a new creation. This is a great time to paint and reflect. It's not the best time to sell. Somebody is always buying. It looks like a busy day at the Post. Staying busy means you don't have time for fear. Everybody has spare change and Wall Street is looking like a beggars banquet. I'm getting a load of topsoil today, so there's always money for dirt. Try paying people with dirt and see how far you get. Gas has come way down, so hauling the dirt is less expensive. Keep excavating, dig.